"So, you want some days off?"
Argentum nodded at the headmaster, taking a glance at the redhead who stood beside him. "It's more for Senior Rosehearts actually. I think it's better for him to be alone for a while. At least until he's ready to go back to Heartslabyul," he said. He glanced to the side where the other Heartslabyul students from the fight were standing. Grim was also there, hanging on Spade's shoulder. "I... I hope you don't mind."
Crowley glanced at the other boys. The first-years were looking at each other, visibly confused but worried at the same time. Clover was frowning, looking down at his shoes and hands clenched into fists. Diamond glanced to the other, knowing their distress, then he stepped up to speak, "I think it will be fine." The other students in the room turned toward him. "Give Riddle some space."
Rosehearts blinked at him. When Diamond smiled at him, he immediately looked down again. Crowley looked between the two boys in front of his desk. It was very unusual to see Rosehearts so small like this. Crowley sighed and leaned back against his chair. "Alright," he said. "I will inform the teachers about this."
Argentum smiled with gratitude. "Thank you, Headmaster."
Trappola pouted at him, folding his hands behind his head. "Hey. How come you're the one gets a vacation, while we have to go back to school?"
When Trappola's voice was heard, Rosehearts was seen turning his head to the side. Argentum gave him a small glance. He reached for the prefect's sleeve and pulled a bit, just to reassure him. He then turned to Trappola again, this time with a childish smile. "I'm the captain, aren't I?" he grinned at him. "Shipmates don't get to rest."
The ginger-head stuck out his tongue at him. "Oi, no fair!"
Spade covered his mouth, giggling behind his hand. Argentum then focused on Clover. He still looked worried. How could he not? The one who he cares about was standing there and he couldn't do anything yet. "It won't be long. Once Senior Rosehearts is back, we'll go back to class again," the younger boy said. "Aren't you all worry about him?"
Clover's sight was focused on Rosehearts, but the small child wouldn't look up to him. Finally, he sighed. "Is there anything we can do?"
Rosehearts' breath hitched and his eyes slightly widened, as if he wasn't expecting Clover to say that. Argentum pulled his sleeve again to calm him down. "Maybe you can borrow some notes from his classmates?" he continued. "The Ramshackle Dorm is pretty boring, he'll need something to take his mind off." He then turned to the first years. "And I'll be needing your notes too." When Grim and Trappola looked at him confusedly, Argentum frowned. "Wait, do even have notes?"
Both Trappola and Grim avoided Argentum's gaze. The one-eyed boy gave them a disappointed look. "Really?"
Spade raised his hand. "I have!"
"Thank you!" Argentum smiled at Spade, who was scratching his blushing cheek. Argentum then turned back to Trappola and Grim. "See? Why can't you be like Deuce?"
"That's just too much work!" Grim exclaimed.
Trappola nodded in agreement. "And not everyone is aiming to be a good boy!"
Spade turned to him. "Wh-What is that supposed to mean?!"
"Anything else?" asked Clover again.
"Maybe Senior Rosehearts' clothes and books?" Argentum suggested. "Just necessary things for a sleepover."
Clover pushed his glasses up his nose. "Alright. We'll drop by after class along with the notes."
Rosehearts clenched and unclenched his fist, to which Argentum tugged his sleeve again. The eye-patch boy smiled at Clover and the other. "Thank you so much."
The corner of Crowley's lips tugged up. This boy... The surprises just wouldn't stop...
-----
Jonah was walking through the aisle of books in the library, his fingers tracing the hard spine while his other hand held his other books close to his chest. Who knew looking for a cookbook was harder than he thought? He didn't ask anyone's help, not because he was too prideful, but he just feels it would be easier to retrace his steps if he ever wants to come back again. "Where is it?" he muttered. "It has to be here somewhere..."
He stopped so he could grip his books tighter. But before he could continue, his vision turned black. "Ah!"
"Guess who~" A childish voice came out from behind him. "Ten seconds!"
"Eh?!" Jonah gripped the thing covering his eyes. It felt like hands, bigger than his. "Wha- Who is this?"
"Tick-tock, tick-tock~" the voice cheered again. "Beeeeppp! Time's up!" Jonah felt his head being pulled back, neck craned backward as far until it hurts. The hands soon uncovered his eyes, now moved to hold the side of his face.
"Senior... Jade?"
"Wrong~" he grinned. "Think harder, Baby Seal!" The Jade-look-alike had the same bluish-green hair, but with a longer, darker strand on his right. His eyes had heterochromia iridium; his right eye is yellow, while his left eye is olive. He wore a blue, diamond-like earring on his right ear.
Wait. Didn't Senior Jade say that he had a twin...?
"You're his twin, aren't you?" he asked, just to make sure.
The boy's eyes lit up. "Ah! You do know! You're smart, Baby Seal!"
Jonah frowned. "I'm not a seal..."
"But you're so adorable and small~" The boy pinched his cheek. "Like a seal!"
"Don't-"
"Ah!" The senior suddenly squished his cheeks with his palms. "We should talk some more interesting stuff!" Suddenly, Jonah was being turned around so both of them could stand face-to-face, the boy's hand gripping his upper arms. "It's boring around here..."
Jonah pulled back when the boy's face was slowly getting too close to his. "I'm just here to find some book recipe book, really," he mumbled.
The boy tilted his head to the side. "Eh~ You can cook?"
Jonah turned his head to the side. "Sort of."
"Ah~ You should cook for me one day!"
"Y-Yeah... I guess."
The boy grinned once again before letting go of his arm. He was still leaning down so their face just a few inches apart, it also didn't help that Jonah's back was pressing against the shelf. "The cookbooks are just on the upper row." The boy pointed upward.
Jonah turned around to look above. He tried to reach for the book there. "Ugh..." He tried to stand on his tippy-toes but still could reach it. "I can't..."
"Hehe. You're stretching and trembling all over." The boy laughed. "Can't do it? Do you want me to get it for you? Do you? Do you?"
Jonah tried to jump. "I can just find a stepladder-"
All of a sudden, the boy came closer and reached up, pulling a book from there. "Here ya go~"
Jonah pouted when the boy stepped back, holding the exact cookbook Jonah was looking for. "Thanks, I guess." When he tried to take it, the boy avoided it. "Umm..." He tried again, but the boy just pulled it away again. "Senior Leech?"
"Ah-ah-ah~" The boy grinned and he raised the book above his head, away from Jonah's reach. "Try guessing my name first then I'll give this back!"
"I don't-" Jonah jumped but couldn't reach it. "Argh, come on!" He tried again, but the taller boy stepped back. "Senior Jade never mentioned your name!"
"Then guess, Baby Seal~"
The game kept continuing and Jonah could feel himself getting even more frustrated. "Is it Jaden?"
"Nope."
"Jerome."
"Nu-uh!"
"Lil' Ol' Joe!"
The boy pouted as he stopped. "What's with all the 'J'?"
"Aren't you twins? Isn't it a thing for twins to share the first letter name?" Jonah jumped one last time but still couldn't reach for it. Damn, his short body.
"Boo~ You're no fun~" The boy finally lowered the book and placed it on Jonah's head. "Here."
"Eh?" Jonah quickly grabbed the book before it fell from his head.
"When we meet again, make sure to get my name right, Baby Seal~"
"I'm not-"
The boy was already walking away, waving his hand toward him before disappearing to the next aisle. Jonah looked at the cookbook in his hand and to the direction, the boy just walked out.
What a weirdo...
-----
"Thank you so much, you guys."
Riddle looked down from the second floor, hands holding the railing. He could see Jonah was talking to someone behind the door. On his shoulder, he had a small backpack and some books in the hands. He knew that backpack. It was his. That meant...
"Not a problem, we're all happy to help."
That was Cater's voice.
"Is Riddle here?"
That one was Trey's.
"He's resting in his room right now," Jonah answered. "He hadn't come out yet."
"Should we see him?" He heard Trey asked again.
"Give him more times," Jonah said again, softer this time "Again. Thanks for all of this."
"Right. We're heading back now," Cater said before the sound of footsteps walked away. Jonah pulled the door with his foot before pushing it close with his hip. He walked inside and he looked up. His eyes widened a bit, surprise that Riddle finally came out.
"Were those Trey and the others?" Riddle finally asked, snapping Jonah from his confusion.
"Yeah," Jonah said as he walked up the stairs toward Riddle. "They brought you some clothes and books."
"Why would they..."
Riddle clenched his fist on his railing. He still could get a grasp on this. Why would they still want to help him after everything he had done?
"They wouldn't have helped you if they care don't care about you, Senior Rosehearts. They're willing to give you another chance." Riddle looked up again when Jonah stood in front of him. The boy was smiling at him as he gave the book and the backpack. "I'll be finishing up dinner, you can take a shower first."
As Jonah walked down, Riddle kept staring at the books. He could felt his eyes started to tear up again. Damn it. Even though he said to himself that he wouldn't cry again. Does Trey really still care about him? Are the others really giving him another chance? Or maybe they just want to help because Argentum asked them?
He... He doesn't understand this...
"Smells so good." Jonah looked up from putting some sour cream and olives on top of the soup he just made. He smiled when Rosehearts walked into the kitchen. They don't have exactly a dining room in here, so Jonah figured they could eat at the counter.
"Yeah." Jonah smiled as he put the bowl in front of Rosehearts when he sat down. "Here."
Rosehearts looked down the bowl before looking up to Jonah again confusedly. Jonah just shrugged. Rosehearts stirred the soup before scooping a spoonful into his mouth. His eyebrow raised. Rosehearts suck his spoon before pulling it out and smacking his lips.
-----
"Delightfully tangy, yet robust," Rosehearts commented and Jonah just smiled so widely. Perfect.
"The recipe works then!" he said sitting down on his chair. "Oyster sauce does help."
"Oyster sauce?" Rosehearts looked at him weirdly.
Jonah scooped out some shrimp and potatoes from the bottom of his bowl and ate them. "Oh, I added a few drops of oyster sauce in there," he said with a mouthful. "I guess Senior Clover was right in one point."
"Trey?"
Jonah gulped before putting his spoon down. "It was when we were cooking the mont blanc..."
It was a calm dinner. Jonah did the most of the talking while Rosehearts just listen, smiling and laughing here and there. It was a simple night. It was nice. After all those chaos, they welcomed moments like this.